Monarch on verge of clinching third winning season

Westminster Academy faces big conference game against LaSalle

October 2, 2013|By Steve Gorten, Sun Sentinel

When Monarch matched Douglas' touchdown in overtime to pull within a point last Friday night, Monarch coach Calvin Davis gambled for the win in the crucial district matchup instead of a second overtime.

Shawn Burgess-Becker ran a fade, caught the two-point conversion pass and Monarch won 28-27 on the road to remain perfect (5-0) this season. The decision to go for two reflected Davis' confidence in his players and their belief in a program sharply turning the corner.

"I always believed we had the talent," quarterback Michael Harris said. "Coach Davis helped us actually show it and make it come out."

Monarch has finished with a better than .500 record in just two of the program's first 10 seasons. With a win at Coral Springs on Friday, the Knights would achieve that a third time — with four regular-season games still left. They're in the midst of seven consecutive district games, a stretch that "keeps us motivated on our ultimate goal," Davis said, "which is to make the playoffs" for the first time.

"That was our goal when we came in, to change the culture of the program," Davis said. "Players have bought in and believe in the coaches and what we want to do."

Said Harris: "We believe that we can win districts and go deep into the playoffs."

Lions off to special start

The most unheralded of the undefeated football teams left in Broward County this season, the Westminster Lions (5-0), face a big game Friday at home against Miami LaSalle. The two teams are tied for first in the South Division of the independent Southeastern Football Conference.

"The key for us is people coming to see us play and getting our name out there," coach Jake Sorg said. "Once people see us play, they're going to see we have a really good team. … We're on the brink of doing something really special."

Westminster is off to its best start in several years, due in part to a combination of talented skill players and experienced seniors.

Spencer Saliba leads the team in rushing (54 carries, 398 yards, 5 TDs) and Andrew James (17 catches, 343 yards, 3 TDs), Peter Holt and Ryan Moore have been the top receivers. Quarterback Joe Vairo, a transfer from Cardinal Gibbons, has completed 42 of 84 passes for 807 yards and nine touchdowns, with two interceptions.

Senior linebacker Zach Tilbrook leads the defense with 36 tackles. Defensive back Terrel Phillips and defensive tackle Malcolm Devers have also been key.

Extra points

Football players from all BCAA schools will wear a Breast Cancer Awareness decal on their helmets for games played in October. … South Broward football has lost 14 consecutive games. This week's opponent: St. Thomas Aquinas. … Western is still pursuing its first touchdown of the season. The Wildcats have been outscored 163-3.